Last week, First Lady Michelle Obama unveiled this year’s holiday décor at the White House, the highlight of which was the 500 pound White House Gingerbread House. This year’s theme, according to an official press release from the First Lady herself, is A Timeless Tradition, which, “reflects long-held traditions cherished across America, and commemorates extraordinary moments that shaped the country during the past two centuries.”

The White House Gingerbread House, an annual tradition, has taken center stage in the State Dining Room. “This year’s gingerbread house is close to 500 pounds – with more than 250 pounds of gingerbread dough, 150 pounds of dark chocolate, 25 pounds of gum paste, 25 pounds of pulled and sculpted sugar work, and 25 pounds of icing,” says the press release.

It was designed and built by Executive Pastry Chef Susan Morrison and her team and features the East and West Wings for the first time. Also departing from previous years’ gingerbread houses, this year’s creation is covered with dark chocolate rather than white chocolate.

Sugar nutcrackers and models of the Obama family’s dogs, Sunny and Bo, stand guard outside the gingerbread house, according to CNN, and Santa and his reindeer are perched on the roof of this impressive creation.